Friday, May 25, 2007

Here is a picture of my boy this morning. He knows I'm going away. He always knows, even if I don't "tell" him. How do I know? Because any other day he'd be bouncing at my feet, barking to go out and play, go for a ride, a walk, anything! But when I am about to leave for a trip, even if it's just for a couple days, he gets a little solemn and looks up at me with that one, blazing eye. Hits me right in the gut. It's hard to EVER leave! And the next few weekends I/we will be traveling, so I'm going to have to really make it up to him during the week.

Yesterday Leo and I went to visit my cousin who lives on a great country property less than a mile away from where we live. He's got a pretty big pond and Leo LOVES swimming. He did not stop for HOURS. Steve and I sat on the hill and tossed a frisbee which Leo chases then leaps in the air to catch. Whenever he missed, he'd pick up the fris and come back to us to throw it again. If he caught it, he'd reward himself with a dip in the pond. It's insane when you can read the more random thoughts of your pet. They have such personality, as you all know.

I'm going to visit my best friend in Long Island. I never enjoy driving through the city, but I'll brace myself for the white knuckle drive. She's worth it and thensome! It will be nice to get away. It's been a while that I went off and did something on my own. Next weekend is a group trip to Hermit Island in Maine where we will camp and kayak and hike along the awe inspiring coast.... uhhhh yes. Then Rob and I have a wedding out close to the Cape Cod (where we got married last year in June) so we'll probably spend a night on the Cape (off season cheap motels are plentiful!) and soak in some of our favorite spots. It will still be enough off season to not be a mob fest. It's been a year (the wedding/honeymoon) since I had a vacation and I feel like this time right now is vaca time! I have things I need to get done so I can't blow off a whole week, but I'm really making the most of the weekends. How many self employed artists/crafters out there do not stop working over the weekend? Raise your hands. I'd bet every hand in the house is raised right now.

So I hope my ramblings makes you stop and think "yeah, I can take this Sunday off" or "why not take a road trip this weekend?" or even "I'm giving myself three straight, uninterupted hours this weekend to just sit back and enjoy life". Do something fun, or relaxing or anything you need right now. We all need money and can make that an excuse for not doing something fun, but there are plenty of ways to have a lot of fun with very little cash. Just enjoying your own backyard. So many of us work so hard to make our yards look beautiful, but don't stop to really enjoy them. Love and joy and good times wished to you all.....jt

Monday, May 21, 2007

Here is a picture looking into my studio on the opening night of the Open Studios show. The weekend (May 11 & 12) was fabulous. Sharing art and laughs with friends, making new friends at the show, then celebrating with my peeps Saturday night for my birthday. The next few days my husband and I got to spend together (a scheduling rarity) so we enjoyed driving around the countryside, ducking out of a rainstorm in Northampton MA for a yummy dinner and pint at the Brewery, and just hanging at home - together. Ahhhh..... so that left me feeling great all week, then this weekend I went down to my college girlfriend's house to celebrate her 30th. Her husband threw a surprise party and it was fabulous. A crew of college friends were in the same room for the first time in years and I couldn't help but think about all of us ten years ago and the contrast of where we all thought we'd be at 30 and where we actually are. it's all good. Our life choices, the new roles and relationships in our lives, it all makes sense. It all fits and yet I could never have dreamed it back then...

I feel so amazing right now. Life is beautiful. I am beyond happy with my life and where it's going. I know that this is my time. I think being born in May made me attached to this time, it brings out the best in me. New Year's Eve is rarely my point of rebirth/transition. This time is my rebirth. New, fresh buds of insight and inspiration, love and compassion, joy in others. Zing!!!!

Saturday, May 05, 2007

It's outrageous. In the TV land of weather every five minutes, the pros don't have anything to say but blue skies - the end. It's gorgeous out and it's going to stay that way for days.

I am loving life. It's been a beautiful Saturday morning. Bright light streaming in through the windows as I savor my cup of tea and paint some ACEOs that I drew about a month ago. (This is one of them). I'll often just do a batch of ink drawings that will sit around for a bit before I come in with watercolor. I'm glad I got up early to do a little painting before I head out to go to the chili festival later this afternoon. It's an annual event at the four town fairgrounds one town over - yee haw! It's always a good time. I love food, local yocal fairs, sunny days and beer. It'll all be there. Plus I'll be in the good company of my aunt and her husband. I'll bring my camera and try to take some pics to share here.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

This is my first week posting in the flickr group, Self Portrait Thursday. I took this digital picture of myself around 10 pm. The eye on the right was drawn with a sharpie on the back of a business card that I'm holding up to my face. My hair is in it's usual state - knotted on the top of my head in a wacky bun. Obviously, I played with the original photograph, making it black and white and then adding funky filters.

Please post a link in your comment to your self portrait if you also contribute in this group - thanks!

I've been enjoying working on a batch of new box canvases. Instead of painting the sides black, I've been experimenting with extending the painting onto the edges. You can see all of my new works in my Etsy Store.

In other news.....

The OPEN STUDIOS Weekend at the Indian Orchard Mills will be Mother's Day weekend. I'll be opening my studio to the public, along with the other fifty plus artists that share the unique space of the renovated mills. Show dates and hours are: Friday, May 11: Opening Night 6-10 pmSaturday May 12: 12-4 pmFor more information and directions to the show, please visit www.indianorchardmills.com and click on the Open Studios Art Show banner.